Latest Angling Trust News

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Members Update

Take a Friend Fishing – free one-day licence for a pal   The Angling Trust in partnership with the Angling Trades Association and Environment Agency are pleased to announce the return of Take a Friend Fishing (TAFF). Until 19th July, anglers will be able to register for a free one-day fishing licence to take a friend, family member or colleague fishing. All anglers need to do is go to Take a Friend Fishing website and provide some basic details and the date you want to go. Your friend will get an email asking them to confirm and as soon as that’s done you’ll receive their free licence. The good thing is that you can take a copy on your phone to show any Environment Agency Fisheries Officer on the day! Take a Friend Fishing is a brilliant way of introducing a new person to angling and you can still do it while maintaining social distance. For more information visit the Take a Friend Fishing website Defra backs down over 'illogical' charter boat ban The government have withdrawn guidance issued on June 11th which specifically prohibited skippered charter boats in England from operating under the COVID-19 regulations. The decision became effective from July 4th. It follows a campaign by the Angling Trust and the Professional Boatman’s Association, which attracted support from diving groups, challenging the "illogical and absurd" Defra guidance which ran contrary to that issued earlier on behalf of the government which allows up to six people from different households to meet outside. More information on our Support Hub Write to MP and help halt ban in marine protection areas The Angling Trust has launched a campaign in response to the June 2020 Benyon Review on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). We are asking anglers to write to their MP in support of our campaign, and to send the clear message that as anglers it is vital we are central to any future consideration on which sites will become HPMAs. While welcoming the establishment of HPMAs as one of a number of effective ways we can protect and manage our seas and fish stocks, we strongly object to the Panel’s recommendation for recreational angling to be banned within all HPMAs automatically. How you can help -  see our Campaign Enjoy your fishing - but stay safe and stick to the guidelines! With the coarse river fishing season well underway, it's important anglers continue to follow the Angling Trust's Covid-19 guidance and adhere to Government guidelines on social distancing and hygiene. We are regularly updating our advice to individual anglers, clubs, fisheries, coaches, charter boat skippers and other angling organisations on our Angling Support Hub. We've also published Best Practice guidelines for the safe return of angling competitions - for coarse, sea, game and lure match anglers. So enjoy the summer - but make sure you enjoy it safely. Tight lines! Visit the Angling Support Hub Zenia joins our Ambassadors Zenia Drury-Gregorek, angling presenter and Shakespeare Ambassador, has joined the Angling Trust’s team of Ambassadors to help our work to protect fish and fishing. Zenia, a well-known face on social media, said: "I want to spread the word about fishing as widely as possible and encourage other mum's out there like me to take up fishing and enjoy the countless benefits angling brings to families nationwide.” Read more Get Fishing events to return in September   Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have cancelled or postponed our Get Fishing events until the end of August. We've already started planning events from September - check them out on the Get Fishing website. Dry weather advice for fisheries Prolonged dry weather can have a detrimental effect on both river and stillwater fisheries. When we get a long period without normal levels or rainfall a decrease in water levels can often lead to low dissolved oxygen levels putting fish at risk, especially during warm weather and where there is a lot of weed growth. Understanding how fish are affected by this is key to running a fishery so we have worked with both the Institute of Fisheries Management and the Environment Agency to put together a short guide. Read our Lines On The Water blog Tributes to icon Len Arbery Tributes have been paid to carp angling icon and all-round specimen hunter Len Arbery, whose death was announced last month. The former Drennan Cup winner was part of the early Redmire Pool syndicate and wrote numerous books on carp, tench, barbel and general angling. A life well fished - tributes to Len Arbery Club guide to stocking fish One of the most exciting parts of running a fishery is stocking fish, but it can also be one of the biggest risks any fishery manager or club committee will take. This is the time when disease, non-native species and unwanted fish can easily make it on to your site. Working with Paul Coulson from the Institute of Fisheries Management, we've produced a detailed guide to making sure you get things right. See our Lines on the Water blog Take 5 and recycle: how to help the environment during pandemic Covid-19 presents unprecedented times for us all, but while we are all doing our bit to keep us, our families and others safe, there are also things you can do at home or out for your daily exercise to help the environment. Find out more: Anglers Against Litter Fishing's newcomers urged to protect wildlife from angling litter New anglers who have taken up the sport since lockdown are being reminded about the dangers to wildlife from angling litter. With more people out on the bank or beach, the Angling Trust and the RSPCA are reminding anglers to discard of litter responsibly to protect wildlife from harm and keep the outdoors clean and safe for all to enjoy. Read more 18 volunteers receive Excellence Awards The Angling Trust marked this year’s National Volunteers’ Week by awarding Volunteering Excellence Awards to 18 volunteers in recognition of their continued commitment. The volunteers, members of the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service or Building Bridges Project, have shown outstanding dedication to protecting fish and fisheries and educating and integrating migrant anglers. Read more Fish Legal NRW told to take action over poultry farms pollution of Wye Acting on behalf of its member the Ross-on-Wye Angling Club, Fish Legal has put the environmental regulator in Wales on notice that phosphate inputs into the River Wye linked to waste from free-range poultry farming have caused environmental damage. Following the notification, Natural Resources Wales needs to investigate and ensure that the farms in question put in place proposals to prevent further damage from occurring. Read the full story         Anglers tell Secretary of State: 'Reject Sussex netting byelaw' Fish Legal has asked for the Secretary of State to reject a new netting byelaw drafted by the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Coastal Authority because it does not protect sea trout, is unenforceable and has been brought in without proper consultation. The controversial new “Netting Permit Byelaw and Flexible Conditions” is intended to control fixed nets in sensitive nearshore coastal waters and was approved by the Sussex IFCA committee in January 2020. Full story News, views, tips, videos and more! We've created a new website called Fishing Buzz. packed with news, views, tips, videos, advice and more! It will help keep you entertained when you're not fishing and help relieve some of the stress and worries we’re all experiencing right now. Visit Fishing Buzz now! NOT YET A MEMBER? JOIN THE ANGLING TRUST AND CLAIM A FREE GIFT!

The Angling Trust is the united national representative body for all angling in England and Wales. It is united in a collaborative relationship with Fish Legal, a separate membership association that uses the law to protect fish stocks and the rights of its members throughout the UK. Joint membership packages with Fish Legal are available for individuals, clubs, fisheries, riparian owners and other categories. Please find out more. WWW.ANGLINGTRUST.NET